Makruk
Makruk starting position
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| Years active | Unknown, predates Sittuyin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Genres | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Players | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Setup time | < 1 minute | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing time | From 20 minutes to several hours | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chance | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Skills | Strategy, tactics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Synonyms | Thai chess | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Makruk (Thai: หมากรุก; RTGS: mak ruk;[1] pronounced [màːk rúk]), or Thai chess (Thai: หมากรุกไทย; RTGS: mak ruk thai; pronounced [màːk rúk tʰaj]), is a strategy board game that is descended from the 6th-century Indian game of chaturanga or a close relative thereof, and is therefore related to chess. It is part of the family of chess variants.[2]
In Cambodia, a similar game known as ouk (Khmer: អុក, pronounced [ʔok]) or ouk chatrang (Khmer: អុកចត្រង្គ, pronounced [ʔok.caʔ.ˈtrɑŋ]) is played.[3]
Origin
[edit]The game known as Makruk in Thailand is based on the Cambodian game of Ouk. Historical evidence suggests that the game of Ouk, with its origins in Cambodia, predates the Thai version. The adaptation of this game in Thailand, known as Makruk, likely emerged after Thai interactions with Cambodian culture and the adoption of similar game elements.
Historical interactions between Persian traders and the Ayutthaya kingdom around the 14th century might have influenced the game. However, the Cambodian origins of the game suggest a more direct transmission from the Indian game of chaturanga rather than through Persian intermediaries. The similarities between the names and movements of pieces in Cambodian Ouk and the Thai Makruk support this theory.[4][3]
Pieces
[edit]
| English | king (1) | queen (1) | bishop (2) | knight (2) | rook (2) | pawn (8) | promoted pawn (queen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai | ขุน | เม็ด | โคน | ม้า | เรือ | เบี้ย | เบี้ยหงาย |
| RTGS | khun | met | khon | ma | ruea | bia | bia-ngai |
| Meaning | lord | seed | nobleman | horse | boat | cowrie shell | overturned cowrie shell |
In the starting position, pawns are placed on the third and sixth ranks. Queens are placed at the right side of kings.
Rules
[edit]
- The cowrie shell moves one space forward and captures one space diagonally forward. Unlike in Western chess, the pawn cannot advance two squares on its first move; therefore, it cannot be captured en passant. A pawn that reaches the sixth rank is always promoted. It becomes a "promoted pawn" (เบี้ยหงาย bia ngai, in Thai, meaning overturned cowrie shell), which moves one square diagonally in any direction, like the queen. Pawn promotion is usually denoted by flipping the piece over.
| ○ | ● | ○ | ||
| บ | ||||
- The seed moves one space diagonally, like the ferz in shatranj. It has the same move as the promoted pawn.
| ● | ● | |||
| ม็ | ||||
| ● | ● | |||
- The nobleman moves one space diagonally or one space forward, like the silver general in shogi.
| ● | ● | ● | ||
| ค | ||||
| ● |
- ^ "หมากรุก". thai-language.com. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
- ^ Murray, H. J. R. (1913). A History of Chess (Reissued ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-827403-3.
- ^ a b "Ouk Chatrang – Makruk". history.chess.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ Murray, H. J. R. (1913). "Chapter VI Chess In Further India". A History of Chess (Reissued ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 108. ISBN 0-19-827403-3.